Another Rosco v2 Build

[Jon BALER]

Picked mine up on Saturday, built it Sunday, finishing touches completed tonight, and will ride it to work tomorrow.  Took it for a short ride around the neighborhood, and felt good.  The upright bars will take a little getting used to though, if not I always wanted to try the albastache bars after using mustache bars on my commuter for years.   Parts are a mix of stuff I had on my previous commuter, parts I had, and new purchases.

The build:

Shimano 105 compact crank (50/34) with CX front derailleur

Shimano XT cassette (11:34) and XT rear derailleur (medium cage), 10 speed, clutch/dynasis

Velocity Dyad Rims, 36 spoke.  Rear hub:  Velocity ATB Rear Hub (Temporary front wheel currently, awaiting final re-build with Shimano dynamo hub)
soma shikoro 700x38 tires
Planet Bike ALX fenders (aluminum), 50 mm
IRD Power Ratchet Friction Thumb Shifter

Riv/Nitto Choco Norm Bar
ESI grips and wrap once I confirm lever placement
Tektro MT 2.1 Levers & R559 Brakes
MJ Cycle Quill Stem-100mm - 130 Quill - 25.4 - Black
Brooks Cambium C17 Saddle
Standard Seatpost that came with the frame, but switching to a longer, black Thomson
Nitto M18 mini front rack (Bought from Phil here) with custom, cut Wald struts
Wald 137 Basket
Army Surplus Bag.  This is a great bag for ~$15.   Inner draw cord and exterior flap to keep contents dry from and quick access when not.   Beefy, extra long, exterior straps for securing extra large items on top of the bag and basket.  Lots of attachment points for zip tie-ing to rack to maintain shape.  Used for the last year or so with the large, wald basket, now trying with the medium rack.
Busch & Miller Lumotec IQ Premium CYO T Senso Plus (80 lux) front light
Busch & Miller Secula Plus rear light

Jagwire Cable, Carbon Silver color

Tire clearance is pretty max'd out, so don't think I could fit much wider with fenders.

Thanks to Gravel & Grind for ordering the frame for me, and answering my questions!

Jon 

Ellicott City

[Joe Bernard]

That's sweet. I love the tall headtube/slammed bars look.

[WETH]

Looks great. Enjoy the ride!

[Jim D Massachusetts]

Nice bike. Like the black fenders and the look of the handlebars on the bike. Looks both fast and practical.          Jim D            Massachusetts

[Jon BALER]

A few more outdoor photos

https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=roscobubbe&user_id=24518536%40N08&view_all=1

[Jon BALER]

Here are some outdoor photos

[Ryan Fleming]

I have to say...the black crank ,fenders, etc. really suit that bike. It looks good....also as a long-time  (23 years) rider of Moustache bars myself, I'm curious as to how the Choco-norms work out for you, since I'm taking a plunge on them for my new Rivendell...oh and did I mention that Rosco is kinda growing on me? Anyway, nice build

[Jon BALER]

Added a few new photos of my build with new bags - R.E. Load basket bag  & Custom Rogue Panda frame bag 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_baler/albums/72157674307963623

[Shoji Takahashi]

Frame back makes it perfect. 

shoji

[Bill Lindsay]

VERY VERY nice.  I like it alot.  

[Steve Palincsar]

I love the way the bag in the space between the top tube and the whatchamacallit tube reminds me of this, the bike I learned to ride on:

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Joe Bernard]

That is VERY cool. There's a Swiss Army Bike vibe going on there.

[Jeff Lesperance]

Excellent setup and great bag... I just sent an inquiry to Rogue Panda to see about getting one for my RB.

On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 4:43 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

That is VERY cool. There's a Swiss Army Bike vibe going on there.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.

[Jon Schultz]

Rogue panda is cool, because they only require a photo of the bike with a ruler/tape measure in it.  No need to send a pattern by mail.

---

From: Jeff Lesperance
Sent: ‎12/‎21/‎2016 6:53 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [RBW] Re: Another Rosco v2 Build

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/zMX6ZNnlQCY/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

[Jeremy Tavan]

I love everything about this. The two bags go together beautifully, and the whole package works together as a great utility cycle. Fantastic!

/Jeremy

[Christopher Murray]

Amazing! That looks like the bike was designed for that bag. It looks incomplete without it.

Cheers!
Chris

[Ashwath Akirekadu]

Fantastic setup!

That triangular bag arrangement is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Made me look up Rosco frames to see if the additional top tube is available for my size.  

Unfortunately I'm one size too short for that!

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

--

www.freerice.com

play and feed a hungry person

[Ryan Fleming]

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 2:04:49 PM UTC-6, Jon BALER wrote:

Added a few new photos of my build with new bags - R.E. Load basket bag  & Custom Rogue Panda frame bag 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_baler/albums/72157674307963623

Gettin better and better. I like the black components with that green and the Rogue Panda bag. Sweet!

[Ryan Fleming]

One other question, Jon, if you don't mind me asking. You were saying that you are a long-time moustache bar rider...as I am myself....like since 1993 when I bought my X0-1

I see you have a tall headtube and flipped Choco-norms and I think you'd said that you've had the bike since late October. The cockpit looks really cool, but how do you like the Choco-norms as currently set up? Do you like them? I ordered them for my mixte on Grant's recommendation and I'm cool with that...looking forward to trying them but I'm interested in others' opinions.

Thanks! Again, cool bike...very rugged and handsome ...regards Ryan

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 5:55:45 PM UTC-6, Jon BALER wrote:

Rogue panda is cool, because they only require a photo of the bike with a ruler/tape measure in it.  No need to send a pattern by mail.

---

From: Jeff Lesperance
Sent: ‎12/‎21/‎2016 6:53 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [RBW] Re: Another Rosco v2 Build

Excellent setup and great bag... I just sent an inquiry to Rogue Panda to see about getting one for my RB.

On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 4:43 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

That is VERY cool. There's a Swiss Army Bike vibe going on there.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Joe Bernard]

Ashwath, I believe I saw that you're about my height, 5'-7", 80-ish PBH, and live around these parts. I rode that 50cm Rosco and it fit me great with the reachback bars..you might wanna go check it out. In my opinion the stated size range on the site is too conservative.

[Jeff Lesperance]

I've got the choco-norms on my Rosco v2, setup similar to Jon's, and I've tried mustache and mustache-like bars (including the albastache) on several bikes over the years, and never found any joy with them. Thus far, on the Rosco, the choco bars are working for me when setup close to level with the saddle. The reach is working pretty well in that with hands on the grips it's a fairly upright and comfortable ride and the forward position on the bars is very comfortable when I want to put a little more oomph into my pedal stroke. My problem with mustache bars in the past was discomfort on all-day rides, or really maybe anything more than 35-40 miles at a time, whereas I have no problem with long days/rides with Nitto Noodles. Thus far I've taken Rosco out for up to 40-miles at a time and it's been great - time to get some longer rides in for a true test.

-Jeff

Silver Spring, MD

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.

[Jon Schultz]

Ryan,

Did you have 2 questions?  You're first message was blank.

I'm liking the Choco-norms so far. It's been a change to have a bar with so much rear sweep, as I am used to more aggressive set-ups.  I can't say that it is affecting my riding, as I still feel plenty fast on this bike while commuting.  It helps that the build is lighter than my stout touring bikes that I was using before.

 I've found the forward position is good for climbing and harder efforts, as there is less flex in that position.  I think the flex is more from the stem though, than the bars.  One negative with my set-up is  that the cables are sort of in the way when I am in the forward position.  It's not a big deal, just sort of annoying have a loose cable in your grip.  We'll see how it feels in the summer when I am not wearing gloves. 

I would like to try a Albastache bars, but that would mean new shifters and brake levers.  My moustache bars have primarily been on my fixed gear bike, so was more of a commuting bike than longer road rides.  For now, I am happy with the choc-norms.

On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 5:30 PM, Ryan Fleming <ryanmallo...@gmail.com> wrote:

To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.

[Ryan Fleming]

And Jeff, I will say that much as I love moustache bars, I agree that if I ride more than 40 or so miles ...that's when drop bars (I have Nitto model 185 AKA dream bars) work better for me. 

Nowadays it's not often I ride more than 40 miles...maybe after I retire that'll change. Thanks for commenting; that's helpful feedback

[Ashwath Akirekadu]

I was specifically fascinated by double top tube configuration.  That said, I do think that reach back bar at the bottom  makes so much sense, every bike (that is not made for lightweight) should have it 😊 This would've been my pick if Appaloosa hadn't existed.  

My two cents on handlebar talk going on here.  I've tried Albastache and Choco-NORM on my road bike and MTB.  I like them much better than their original handlebars (drop and flat).   I've decided that I don't need the farther reach that Albastache offers.  This is probably because I have a shorter than average torso for my height (5'7", 81 PBH).  I know it also depends on the top tube length.  

Fundamentally I need two positions on the handlebar.  Relaxed and power.  The swept back part of ChocoNorm gives me near upright position.  This is as relaxed as it gets.  I love that option.  When I need to use more power, I go to the corners.  When this handlebar is flipped (i.e., ends are lower than the flat/middle) the corner curves are at a very ergonomic angle (at least to my arms and wrists).   ChocoNORM is a genius design for someone with shorter torso and who is not optimizing for speed. 

On Thursday, December 22, 2016, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ashwath, I believe I saw that you're about my height, 5'-7", 80-ish PBH, and live around these parts. I rode that 50cm Rosco and it fit me great with the reachback bars..you might wanna go check it out. In my opinion the stated size range on the site is too conservative.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Joe Bernard]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. This is the double-bar Rosco I rode with reachback handlebars. It's certainly too big for me with drops, but city bars can really shrink a bike. I loved it.

https://www.rivbike.com/collections/web-special-framesets-and-bicycles/products/50cm-rosco-bubbe-crowded-showroom-special

[Ryan Fleming]

Senior's moment Jon...really my only question was how you felt about the choco-norms as a moustache bar ...and your answer was really helpful...thanks and compliments of the season

To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Treat yourselves to a stand... It revolutionized my wrenching enjoyment.

Jeff and lum, thanks for sharing your rear lighting setups I'm always interested to see how folks make it work. On my Saluki I drilled holes in the lug windows of the down tube(where it meets the HT) and seat tube(at the BB). My light is fender mounted though. I really love the dyno front and rear experience.

[Patrick Moore]

Yes, the most important piece of wrenching kit after your allens, combo wrenches, cassette/bb/headset tools, and your hammer, screwdrivers, and pliers. ("After" because a stand is not much use if you haven't the tools to use it with.)

I chose an inexpensive Park "consumer" model (this about 1996-7) and I would have been better off with a more sophisticated clamp. I have a decent Feedback now, but my ideal, with a garage of my own to do what I like with, would be one of the old, massively heavy VAR workstands, or something similar rigged up at home, like Stevie's which has a base made from a concrete filled tire. The heavier and less movable, the better. No damned tripods; a 50 lb base, or something bolted to the floor. I may have to try rigging up some sort of floor mount, or at least a heavy base, for mine.

Point being: spend the money for a good one.

Patrick Moore, who used to overhaul cup and cone bbs holding the bike up with his forehead (and even, way back, using hammer and nail for the adjustable cup and lockring)

[Surlyprof]

I agree with Patrick's suggestion, get a good one.  I bought a decent stand with REI rebates one year (LOTS of camping equipment bought that year!).  I've had the "Ultimate" repair stand for 20 years now and have never liked it but can't justify a new one.  Things I suggest watching for (that I have disliked) is the clearance and the clamping.  The clamp on mine has to be screwed down with a knob.  This is very difficult to do while you are holding 25-35# of bike in the other hand.  The clearances are also a problem.  Unless I have it held just right, the pedal hits the stand (damned tripod!).  Do the research and spring for the good one because even a bad one may last a lifetime.  Post mounted tool trays are helpful additions as well.

John